Abstract EN:

Created by Augustus for fire prevention, the cohorts of vigils underwent a significant change during their four century-long life : a troop of freedmen of the familia publica type at the start, they progressively acquired a status similar to that of the urban forces and the traditional army. If, in effect, the vigils were used as soldiers as early as the first century, their legal situation evolved more slowly. That force nearing 3500 men under Augustus - was progressively increased, possibly under Domitian, and without any doubt under Septimius Severus. The recruitment, which was restricted to freedmen at the time of Augustus, extended to free men as early as the second century and even to some roman citizens. Chiefly of Italian origin in the second century, the recruits later came from more distant areas, particularly under Septimius Severus. It is possible that, under Gallienus, detachments of vigils have been incorporated in the mobil the number of soldiers was still reduced by Diocletian, and the cohorts were final- ly suppressed about 370 a. D. Of the original institution there only remained the prefect, who was by then under the authority of the urban prefect. The prosopographical study underlines the prefect's functions: in military matters, he was under the authority of no one except the emperor, and in judicial matters his power applied to numerous fields. Centurions, tribunes and sub-prefects followed the traditional careers. The soldier's ambitions were more modest : access to frumentum publicum after a three year service, guaranteed livelihood at Rome, possible promotion to the rank of principalis, and, at last, missio. To perform their main duty - fire prevention - , the vigils were organized as a patrolling force and, in the course of their night patrols, they were also able to perform police duties, at Rome and at ostia. So, they guarded Rome against a peril that was omnipresent in daily life and in the people's minds : the burning of the city.